iTunes Review

Folksinger Alela Diane expands her sound greatly with the help of a fortified backing group. Where her earlier works were quiet affairs, this 2011 release trends towards a new accessibility. “To Begin,” with its burbling keyboards and bouncy beats, veers closer to pop than folk. But “Elijah” sends things back to the acoustic guitar and to Diane’s trance-like vocals. Her Laurel Canyon folk roots are still in clear evidence even when slightly pushed in other directions. She has a knack for giving her songs familiar titles. “Suzanne” is not the Leonard Cohen standard but her own country-rock tune. “The Wind” is not the Cat Stevens hit, but her own acoustic meditation on nature, among other things. The two-minutes of “Desire” is a compact piece of writing that’s heightened by a stirring melody. “Heartless Highway” is a halting, near juke-joint full-band blowout (if Diane & band are capable of a blowout) that breaks character with glorious results. “Rising Greatness” ends things on a sweet goodbye note. A true talent.

Customer Reviews

Altered but Still the Same

by
Music-Miser

While not as humble as her earlier works, the new album takes a pleasant and brave direction that holds true to her nature. Whether you’re a dedicated fan of Alela’s or a newcomer, this album is a worthy buy and still as haunting as her others. I am partial to "Long Way Down" and "The Wind". I know I’ll be listening to this album in its entirety for a long time to come. Well done.

I'd listen to Alela sing the phone book

by
npsjjf

Most gorgeous voice out there.

hi Leps

by
12LiliTaylor

hello lela how are you, i am good, remember missis ping! by the way thouse who are reading this i am onley 11 so yeah..

Biography

Born: April 20, 1983 in Nevada City, CA

Genre: Singer/Songwriter

Years Active: '00s, '10s

Part of the nouveau psych-folk movement that took shape as the first decade of the 21st century drew to a close, the American-born singer/songwriter Alela Diane got her start thanks to a well-received, self-released recording (2003's Forest Parade) and a helping hand from established scenester Joanna Newsom. After a short stint with the group Black Bear and a European vacation, Diane returned to the States and began work on her next album, which saw the light of day as The Pirate's Gospel in 2004....